In an interview with British television Iran's president, Mahmood Ahmadinejad, asked why Iran should stop an activity in which the United States and Britain were also engaged.

He also reiterated that Iran had no desire to build a nuclear bomb, which he said would not be in its political interests.

"The main problem is the enmity of America towards Iran. From the beginning we said that everything should be solved by the (International Atomic Energy) Agency. We do not need a bomb," he told Channel 4 News.

'Interference'

Iran resumed co-operation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) in August after agreeing a plan to clear up unresolved issues relating to its past nuclear activities.

But, referring to the continued threat of sanctions, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Ali Ashgar Soltanieh, denounced continuing interference by the West.

"Politically motivated interference will definitely jeopardise this new constructive trend," he said.

"Therefore, we expect the international community to be aware of this fact that now Iran has done its part and now we expect the others want to show their political goodwill."

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also called for Iran to suspend its enrichment work, not simply co-operate with UN inspectors.

And a number of Western diplomats have criticised the IAEA plan, accusing Iran of trying to delay the imposition of further UN sanctions while increasing its nuclear capabilities.

Enriched uranium can be used for civilian nuclear power stations but can also provide fissile material for nuclear bombs.